Thanks to the passage of a $4.17 billion capital budget late last week, nearly $37 million has been allocated for construction projects in the 35th District.

Projects include $3 million to build tiny homes for homeless veterans in Mason County, $1.5 million for sewer repairs in Shelton, $515,000 to provide a wastewater connection from the South Kitsap Industrial Area to the Belfair Wastewater Reclamation Facility, and $200,000 for improvements to Camp Schechter in Tumwater.

The bill also allocates $475,000 to construct a new building for the Holly Ridge Center in Bremerton, which has served residents of the 35th District for more than 50 years. Additionally, $27,000 will be spent on shelter resident room improvements, technological replacements and security upgrades at the Turning Pointe domestic violence shelter in Shelton.

“Although it took a lot longer than any of us wanted, I’m happy we were able to send the 2017-19 capital budget to the governor’s desk to be signed into law,” said Rep. DrewMacEwen, R-Union. “The budget includes a number of important projects for our district, including sewer rehabilitation in Shelton and construction of the Belfair sewer connection to the South Kitsap Industrial Area. It also allocates funding for organizations providing support for domestic violence victims and early intervention services for parents of young children with developmental disabilities. These investments will make a significant difference for our communities in the 35th District.”

The capital budget, financed in large part by bonds, pays for durable assets like buildings, land acquisitions, and improvements to public parks in communities across the state. The capital budget is separate from the state’s operating budget, which is financed with current tax revenues.

“What excites me most about this budget is it prioritizes investments for those who need it most — our students, the mentally ill, and our veterans,” said Rep. Dan Griffey, R-Allyn. “Perhaps one of the projects I’m most proud of securing funds for is the $3 million for affordable housing and tiny homes in Shelton. This will help alleviate some of the financial pressures veterans are facing throughout our communities by giving them a safe place to call home.”

Throughout the state, the 2017-19 capital budget invests $933 million in school construction and modernization, including an additional $35 million for small, rural district modernization grants. It also provides $136.5 million for community- and institution-based funding, including making targeted investments in behavioral health community capacity and security updates to Eastern and Western State hospitals. Additionally, more than $106 million is provided for the Housing Trust Fund, which will help fund housing projects for veterans, those affected by natural disasters, and supportive housing for the mentally ill.

The capital budget, Senate Bill 6090, passed by a vote of 95-1 in the House and 49-0 in the Senate. The bond authorization bill for the capital budget, House Bill 1080, passed by a vote of 94-2 in the House and 47-2 in the Senate.

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